Driver's Meeting Notes

[Loren]

Hey, I'm just getting started revising the driver's meeting notes because I know there is some stuff that needs to be added. Of course, I'm having trouble remembering what all of those things are.

So, what are the things that always come up during or after the driver's meeting that we often forget to talk about?

[blacksheep-1]

This happened at Brookesville, please clarify our position on downed cones. I/we were involved in a cone fetch melee and missed a cone, it was brought to our attention by another worker station. Unfortunately the last driver did not point it out, and passed it, we don't know who originally hit it, but the last guy got dinged for it. I felt bad about that, but I believe we applied the rules appropriately.
Correct? I assume
Also please point out that if a hit cone still remains inside the box (even part of it) it's OK
One last thing, some of the workers at Brookesville on the big end asked for a red flag because they were behind on cones, we displayed the red, and feel that this was a good move on the part of the other station (to call down for the red) we might want to keep that in mind.
Thanks xxx- Rob

[Loren]

This happened at Brookesville, please clarify our position on downed cones. I/we were involved in a cone fetch melee and missed a cone, it was brought to our attention by another worker station. Unfortunately the last driver did not point it out, and passed it, we don't know who originally hit it, but the last guy got dinged for it. I felt bad about that, but I believe we applied the rules appropriately.
Correct? I assume

If, to the best of your knowledge, a cone was standing before a driver passed it and down after, then you should call the cone against that driver. If you're PAYING ATTENTION (something we do stress at the driver's meeting that workers need to do), you should never miss a downed cone and always be calling cones appropriately. Not sure exactly what more we need to say about this in the driver's meeting.

Also please point out that if a hit cone still remains inside the box (even part of it) it's OK

This is already part of the standard driver's meeting script. It is covered with visual aids every single time.

One last thing, some of the workers at Brookesville on the big end asked for a red flag because they were behind on cones, we displayed the red, and feel that this was a good move on the part of the other station (to call down for the red) we might want to keep that in mind.

The policy is if any worker throws a red flag or anyone calls for a red flag on the radio, ALL flags should wave and the entire course should come to a stop. In reality, as with many other things, there is a certain level of experience that can logically "modify" that policy. For instance, if there's a problem at the far end at Brooksville, the car approaching that end should be stopped, but the car that's 200' from the finish doesn't need to be stopped. But, aside from allowing a car that is clearly beyond the problem area to finish, we don't have any sort of "local red flag". It's always a full-course red and it holds until the starter is given the all-clear.

We can't possibly cover everything about course working in the driver's meeting. This is why we make a strong effort to ensure that novices are sent out to work with experienced people.

What I'm looking for in this thread is stuff that we habitually forget to talk about at the driver's meeting that ISN'T intended to be covered by "OJT" at a corner worker station. Stuff like "pick up after yourselves, don't leave your empty bottles and cans and trash" and whatever else I'm forgetting.

[rojeho]

Drive sane on the streets surrounding the event

Passengers cannot hold cameras

Stay behind the (window of the) timing trailer

I had a list of these from the March event, I'll try to find it

[buddy bodean]

Don't walk thru the timing lights.

Do drive thru them. After a spin-out some folks take their time getting back on track and to the lights, sometimes avoiding the lights.

[Charles]

If a car kicks up a 2lb chunk of runway, hold the start so you have time to run out and remove it from the course. With the current state of the runway, this seems to happen at least 2-3 times/event.

[blacksheep-1]

"If you're PAYING ATTENTION (something we do stress at the driver's meeting that workers need to do), you should never miss a downed cone and always be calling cones appropriately. Not sure exactly what more we need to say about this in the driver's meeting"

Srsly, not to belabor the point, but when you have a fat old fart like me running one way, and the new guy the other, sometimes "stuff" happens.

[Loren]

"If you're PAYING ATTENTION (something we do stress at the driver's meeting that workers need to do), you should never miss a downed cone and always be calling cones appropriately. Not sure exactly what more we need to say about this in the driver's meeting"

Srsly, not to belabor the point, but when you have a fat old fart like me running one way, and the new guy the other, sometimes "stuff" happens.

Okay, I can accept that stuff happens and people make mistakes. What more needs to be said about it at the driver's meeting?

[Jeremy]

Can you post what you have so far? I looked on the website, it appears that it is an older version.

[Loren]

Here's the current info that we've been using for a while:

Waivers.
- Make sure that everyone, drivers and spectators, sign the waiver and get a wrist band.
- Minors require an additional waiver signed by a parent.
Safety.
- Remind everyone where the spectators’ area is, and that spectators are to stay in that
designated area (at SPC it’s behind the metal barriers; at Brooksville things are a little
looser…).
- Children are to be supervised at all times.
- Remind drivers that the grid/paddock area has an idle-speed limit.
- We DO NOT ALLOW tire warming. Please politely remind drivers they are not to perform such
maneuvers, even if there appears to be room.
Passengers.
- PASSENGERS = INSTRUCTORS Passengers, even other competitors, are permitted to ride
during any run in a vehicle equipped to carry a passenger.
- All passengers MUST be wearing a wrist band indicating that they have signed a waiver.
- All passengers must also be licensed drivers.
Event Officials. Point them out.
Event Chairman:
Co-Chairman:
Course Marshal:
Tech Chief:
FAST Director:
Course Working. Main job is to reset cones, keep course clear of debris (which may possibly be hot – be careful), protect other course workers, and most importantly red flag drivers if need arises. To do this you must:
1. ALWAYS FACE CARS ON THE COURSE. Things can happen fast, and you have to watch closely to be able to react should an unsafe situation arise. You can’t see if you aren’t looking.
2. STAND UP. This will keep you more alert, and allow you to react more quickly whether it be to help or to get out of the way. Leaning on a metal barrier is not standing up!
3. RUN. But not in front of an oncoming car – time your sprint for after the car has safely passed and before the next one arrives. Running will allow you to be on the active course for less time, which is safer, and will allow the course to be reset more quickly which will make the event go more smoothly
4. BE ABLE TO WAVE A RED FLAG (demonstration). Do not hesitate to red-flag a driver in order to get them to stop should an unsafe situation seem imminent (offer examples). Wave the flag like a monkey having a seizure. Yell. Run. Make sure the driver sees you.
5. WORK AS A TEAM. Watch each others’ backs – holder of the flag watches carefully as the other corner worker resets cones. Coordinate and back-up the corner station next to you. Usually will be corner teams of two (one to run, one to flag and use radio) – and two novices should not be paired together.
6. USE A RADIO. Push button. Wait a second. Announce yourself. State your message. Receiver of message should confirm. Use radio to call in cone penalties – note car number. Or to alert others of a safety situation or for general communication.
7. NO CELL PHONES. Too distracting. Turn them off. No guest spectators at corner stations, either: Same reasons, and also violates insurance rules.
Heroism.
- Remind drivers not to try to save those runs that can’t be saved. In the event of a spin, both feet
in. (neither of those feet should be on the accelerator!)
Incidents.
- Report all incidents to the Course Marshal. If you think it might be an incident, report it!
- If you are driving, and come across an unsafe situation, or even just a cone out of place, STOP!
Point out the issue, and you will get a re-run.
Penalties.
- Explain, using visual aids (a cone and a chalk outline!) as necessary, cone penalties:
- Down or out – 2 second penalty
- Up and In (includes just touching chalk line) – no penalty
- Pointer cones don’t count, but if you hit one, but not the standing cone, you are off course!
Event Details.
- State number of runs, if there is a parade lap, and any other details specific to your event. A
parade lap (slow speed drive through the course at the beginning of each run group to
familiarize drivers with the CORRECT way to navigate the course) is a good idea and will
reduce your total number of newbies (and oldies) getting lost on course. Save parade laps for
those events in which you are WAY ahead of schedule.
Run Order.
- Explain that run order is essentially random.
- Tell the drivers stay in the same order once they’ve completed their first run, but the initial order
is irrelevant. The numbers on the cars are just a means of easy identification for the Timing
crew.
Novices.
- Identify newcomers and find an "old-timer" to help them. It’s a really good idea to have a novice
- course walk and also have somebody(ies) available to ride with them if they want it. (and keep a
close eye out for the ones that NEED it)
Water.
- Especially during the Summer, remind everyone, especially course workers, to drink a lot of
water to stay hydrated.

[Jeremy]

No handheld cameras in-car?

Course work:
-Workers are free to move their station for improved safety or better coverage.
-Get confirmation from timing and scoring on penalties after calling them in.
-Watch behind the cars for cones and spot the car number. (Last event I had people calling in cones on "the red car" on the seventh run. They hadn't noticed the number of the car that drove by them six times!!!)


Here is the list I wrote a while back... http://www.cfrsolo2.com/Information/workers.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[yamaha731]

Maybe we can have the novice drivers put a n on front of there numbers so we could all help them out. Also go over the importance of a fast transition between run groups knowing your work station and run group

[Native]

Getting to your work station in a timely fashion is a priority as it helps the entire event run more smoothly. When it's time to work - stop what else you may be doing and get to your assigned position. Pack your car later. Change your tires later. Review your video later. Don't hold up the event.

Please keep all appendages inside the car at all times.

Courseworkers - one person runs for cones. The other person has the radio, the flag, the umbrella and the water, and watches the back of the cone-shagger. Seems like every event someone is out there picking up cones while carrying the flag.

[Jamie]

Courseworkers - one person runs for cones. The other person has the radio, the flag, the umbrella and the water, and watches the back of the cone-shagger. Seems like every event someone is out there picking up cones while carrying the flag.

In some cases, that's unavoidable...knock down enough cones, and everyone's out there chasing 'em. But we're going to make it a little easier to figure out who runs this time out.

We're also going to make it easier to keep all the course workers on their feet.

[Loren]

Okay, revision complete. I think I added all of the reasonable suggestions. It's a lot longer (used to be barely 2 pages 8.5x11, now it's crammed tight onto 8.5x14), but more closely matches what we usually try to cover.

Give it a look. Let me know if I missed anything or got anything wrong, but bear in mind that we don't want to make it much longer than it already is.

Drivers Meeting Notes 2011.pdf

(59.86 KiB) Downloaded 381 times

[puncturina]

Nobody has ever mentioned how to use the fire extinguishers. Maybe just a line about not opening the hood, shooting at the base of the fire, etc.

[Loren]

Nobody has ever mentioned how to use the fire extinguishers. Maybe just a line about not opening the hood, shooting at the base of the fire, etc.

Worthy of mention. Thanks.

[buddy bodean]

Hey wait on that...EVA is correct, if I remember you shouldn't open the hood, the sudden flush of oxygen may fan the flames. We need some input from a qualified source before we start giving any advice on fighting a fire. Seems to me that the extinguisher should be used to aid in extracting the occupant only. The fire department should be called to save the property.

Also, a fire extinguisher should be posted near the generator. That's probably more of a fire hazard than anything else out there, especially refueling a HOT engine.

Just a thought.

[Loren]

I'm not going to instruct anyone to open the hood, that's up to the driver as far as I'm concerned. In any case, it definitely should not be done without a fire extinguisher at the ready for reasons stated. (mo' oxygen, potential fireball)

Likewise, pointing a fire extinguisher at a closed hood with a fire burning under it ain't gonna help anything. You have to open the hood to get the chemicals at the source of the fire to smother it.

Get the driver out first and foremost. But, if we can save the car... we certainly shouldn't let it burn to the ground because we implemented some "don't open the hood" policy!

[Native]

Also, a fire extinguisher should be posted near the generator. That's probably more of a fire hazard than anything else out there, especially refueling a HOT engine.

Just a thought.

We have 6 extinguishers. Usually 5 work stations. There should always be one at/near the trailer, for grid/generator issues.